living simply

central europe

I know I haven’t been able to write more to my readers. We have moved back to Prague, with a loaded car, a dog cage , a brown Labrador, 20 month old infant, thankfully my husband bought me the tickets to fly back a day before he was due to arrive in the Czech Republic. So, in my previous post I have shared with you all on the first day events of our friends arrival to Athens and how amazing it was to see the Acropolis, we also did see the monistaraki square, I say where all the business happens. My friend hesitated to go to the fish market as the stench was unbearable.

Nevertheless, We did not miss the oppurtunity to see the vegetable market and the tiny streets around. They kept telling me what a incredible guide I make with a 20 month old daughter strolling around the city and showing the historical place was a moment I cannot forget.

The events on the second day was just as much exciting as the first day. We saw the famous plaka. Almost explored the entire area with all the sophisticated streets, I even discovered an incredible old yet vintage art gallery owned by an famous artist- . His place was worth seeing for for the artist lovers. And as the day fell over and night approached, we all went to a roof top restaurant at the hotel Athens Gate situated at the 8th storey to view the incredible 360 degree view of the Athens! With the lights lit up as the darkness fell over, we had the best view of the Acropolis at night! It is a view that you could never forget!

And thus winding up our Athens tour which lasted 4 days, with amazing people, great food, lots of red wine and a beautiful story to tell share. and since this was my last week at the Athens I honestly enjoyed to the best and will always cherish the memories I made with the land of history, heritage, culture, sea, sand and Greeks!

Looking forward to a new beginning to start back at home – Prague! With a lot to look forward to, a working new mom!

Stay tuned for more stories. It doesn’t mean my travel has stopped. There is a lot I am waiting to explore.

Last week in Athens has left me with so many mixed feelings. As I earlier mentioned in my last post that my friends are visiting me. And they have finally arrived here yesterday. We set our journey to receive them at the airport on the half empty highways at half past nine with excitement in our hearts.

The room I arranged for both my friends, one named Klara the young blonde energetic woman who is here to enjoy her summer and the other an English teacher in her mid fifties. She has been a dear friend and my only friend when I moved first to Czech Republic. Anyway, the room I found through airbnb had a fantastic authentic Greek feel to it and I loved it.

The owner being a Greek was pleasant, sweet,and an highly educated woman in her late fourties! She in fact did an fabulous arrangement for her guests to have an comfortable and extravagant stay in the heart of the city of Athens. I must say I was very much pleased and contented.

When I met my friends the day next day, they were really happy that I arranged such a wonderful stay for them. And like a holiday planned, we set out today to do some heavy sightseeing in almost thirty eight degrees Athens. We had a heart warming breakfast and set out our day by foot to Acropolis! The one monument you cannot miss whilst your stay at Athens.

So now they are out there doing all the study and enjoying the historical monument while I wait at the foothills of the Mighty Acropolis, having the oppurtunity to write a post and share my final week events with my dear friends in Athens. But unfortunately to my awe, I forgot to put in the micro card to my camera hence I promise to share you some pics along with my journey.

In my previous post, I mentioned must try foods, if you are visiting Czech Republic. In this post I would like to share the best savoury foods you can eat from the country. Like I already mentioned in my previous post, a lot of the them think Czech food isn’t vibrant but here are some of the delicious foods I would want you to take pleasure in tasting on your trip to the central part of the Europe.

Chlebicky

‘Chlebicky’ – similar to a Bruschetta or an open faced sandwich, is usually served as a starter. It comes in wide range of variety, but the czech’s prefer the cold cut chlebicky’s.

TrdelnikOvocne Knedliky

Mostly popular in the Central European countries. this dish is also known as ‘Kürtőskalács‘. It is made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, and then grilled and topped with sugar and walnut crunch.The name trdelník comes from trdlo, the wooden stake the cake is wrapped around for cooking which gives it its traditional hollow shape

Ovocne Knedliky is a fruit based dumpling, which is made of Potato dough having a filling of variety of fruits. one of the most delicious one is the berries and peaches. it’s a satisfying meal for sweet lovers as it is a sweet dish. Usually eaten for dinner, it can also be served as a desert. The dumpling is served as it is or with sprinkles of sugar powder and whipped cream.

Kolac

Kolac is a mouth watering delicious pastry filled with types of fillings in the center or inside of the pastry. since the Czech Republic is number one producer of Poppy seeds, the popular kolac comes with the stuffing of poppy seeds and other different varieties, one with tvaroh ‘cream cheese’ , fruit stuffing. For a first timer it may taste different but trust me it is delicious and addictive!

Palacinky

Often people mistake Pancakes as crepes. Pancakes are the American version of thick flat cake and crepes in Czech known as Palacinky are super thin paper like pancake although the recipe calls for the same ingredients. What distinguishes the Czech Palacinky’s is that they are filled with amazing goodness of fruits served with dollop of ice cream and whipped cream. My most favorite desert of all times. now the new trend has got spicer version of Palacinky with Bacon or spinach stuffings. I will always rate this No:1 must try out food.

Medovnik

The most popular cake in Czech Republic, the Medovnik is scrumptiously delicious. It’s a 10 layered cake, Medovnik derives from Med meaning Honey, with its unique taste, its nothing like you have ever tasted before. Moist and flavorsome, some say it’s like eating golden sunshine.

BabovkaVanocka

Babovka in transaltion means Grandma’s cake. It’s a typical traditional bundt marble cake with a combination of vanilla and chocolate mixtures into a swirl mould which looks beautiful when presented. It’s a cake perfect for tea time, and that’s how the czech’s usually have it too, it is placed on the table with sprinkled white sugar as shown in the picture. It reminds of me of Christmas.

Traditionally made during Christmas, this braided bread is simply yum and can be eaten for breakfast or tea. When making vánočka, it is said that one must think of everyone dear to you. Another custom is to avoid touching silver or metal to the vánočka. Finally, the person who is making the vánočka should jump up and down while the dough rises. 😉 The bread is named after the Vanoce meaning Christmas in Czech.

Spa Town “Karlovy Vary” famous Oplatky

The super thin wafer from the spa town of Czech are one more authentic add to the food glossary. these delicious wafers are one of a kind with perfectly spread walnut sugar crunch in between the wafer makes it a melt in the mouth. there are also several other flavors such as cinnamon, cocoa, coconut, vanilla, strawberry. The best souvenir you could carry back to your loved ones.

This is it from my side, but do let me know if you would like to add more into the list and enjoy the food from Czech Republic like how I do.